Missing student Will Johnson found safe and well
Photo:
Supplied
Private investigators looking for an American aviation student missing from Palmerston North for more than a week say he has been found.
Massey University student William Henry Johnson, known as Will, was last seen in Palmerston North between 30 May and 1 June.
The 24-year-old's last communication with family was on 5 June and he had not responded to any attempts to contact him since.
His parents hired private investigators to find him and Johnson's mother arrived in New Zealand from Seattle this morning.
On Wednesday afternoon Mike Gillam, of The Investigators New Zealand, said after a tip they received at about 4pm, the investigators successfully located Will Johnson.
"We are delighted to confirm that William has been found and is in good health. He has been reunited with his mother and the family is understandably relieved that this ordeal has come to a positive conclusion," he said in a statement.
Gillam said William was located in Palmerston North following information provided by a member of the public who responded to media appeals for assistance.
Earlier Gillam said that The Investigators New Zealand were working with police.
His disappearance was "really traumatising" for his family, who were distraught, Gillam said earlier.
His company had three investigators working on the matter full time.
On Tuesday, Gillam said it was out of character for Johnson not to have contact with his family for such a period of time.
Gillam on Wednesday said the positive outcome demonstrated the importance of community cooperation in missing person cases.
The family had requested privacy at this time, he said.
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